Lamont Roach Jr. vs Angel Rodriguez Preview & Prediction

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By Ian S Palmer

Lamont Roach Jr of Washington D.C. Will be taking on Angel Rodriguez of Venezuela in a 12-round WBA Junior Lightweight eliminator this Saturday, July 16^th. The fight is on the undercard of the Ryan Garcia vs Javier Fortuna tilt and can be seen live in most nations on DAZN, Roach last saw action in December when he beat Rene Alvarado via a 10-round unanimous decision for the NABA Title. Rodriguez was last in action in February when he edged Mark Uranov by a 12-round split decision.

Roach Jr. is 26 years old and has an impressive mark of 22-1-1 with 9 Ko’s and has boxed 140 rounds since making his pro debut in 2014. He stands 5-feet-7-inches tall with a 68-inch but isn’t a power puncher or KO artist by any means as he owns a current knockout ratio of 37.5 per cent. However, he has stopped two of his last three opponents. Roach has been boxing since he was nine years old and had a fine amateur career with more than 100 victories.

He was named the most outstanding American boxer in 2013 by USA Boxing when he won the National Golden Gloves Title in the 132 lb division. He’s also a five-time Ringside World Champion, the 2011 National PAL Champion and a two-time Junior National Golden Gloves Champion. Since turning pro his best wins have been against Alvarado, Jonathan Oquendo, Alberto Mercado, Rey Perez, Luis Hinojosa and Alejandro Valdez.

He also captured the vacant WBC Youth Silver Super Featherweight Crown with the win over Valdez. Roach Jr’s lone draw was a 10-round affair with Orlando Cruz in April of 2018. His lone defeat came at the hands of Jamel Herring via a unanimous decision in November, 2019 in a shot at the WBO Super Featherweight Title.

The 34-year-old Rodriguez was born in Venezuela and then moved to Colombia. He owns a record of 20-1 with 10 Ko’s but has fought mainly in South America against limited opposition. Rodriguez has boxed 111 rounds since turning pro in 2012 after a pretty good amateur career. He stands 5-feet-9-inches tall with a 72-inch reach which gives him a two inch edge in height over Roach as well as a four-inch reach advantage.

The lone loss on Rodriguez’s record came at the hands of Carlos Diaz by way of an eight-round unanimous decision in November, 2013. Since then he’s won all 12 of his fights. He not really a power puncher either as Rodriguez’s current knockout ratio stands at 47.6 per cent. His biggest wins have been over the likes of Mark Uranov, Julian Aristule, Angel Granados and Sergio Nunez. As a pro, Rodriguez has captured the WBA Fedecentro Lightweight Title.

Prediction…

Roach has long been a fine prospect who was expected to one day win a world title but he fell short in his opportunity against Herring. Rodriguez is eight years older and has fought limited opposition but does have the edge in height and reach and arguably power. However, Roach’s boxing skills and experience against tougher opposition should see him earn a victory on Saturday night.